| Keyword |
Description |
| Remote |
From a distance |
| Sensor Technology |
Devices that detect and respond to changes |
| Advocacy |
Supporting a cause or idea |
Waldog is a robot dog that recently started walking the streets of Monterrey, Mexico. Unlike a real dog, Waldog doesn’t bark loudly, make a mess, or need food. This robot dog looks a bit like a beagle and is smart because it uses artificial intelligence (AI). People, both kids and adults, stop to look at it and listen when Waldog "speaks."
Senator Waldo Fernández from Monterrey created Waldog with a clear goal: to bring attention to animal welfare. Animal welfare means treating animals kindly and making sure they are healthy and safe. Fernández named the robot after himself and controls it remotely. He spent around $4,000 to buy the robot, showing how serious he is about spreading the message.
During Waldog’s first official event in the Santa Catarina neighborhood, it introduced itself in Spanish, saying it was there to be a voice for stray animals who can’t speak for themselves. The robot dog does more than just walk around: it can spot trash and holes in the streets, check on stray dogs, and help register them. It even interacts with people by talking and recognizing faces. It does all this using sensor technology.
Fernández hopes Waldog will help young people and communities learn to care for pets responsibly. He believes that technology can solve everyday problems like animal neglect. Besides running in neighborhoods, Waldog has its own Instagram and Facebook pages where it shares photos and videos.
Waldog isn’t just a fun gadget—it has advanced technology, including sensors that help it move around safely. It can even stand up on its back legs! At his debut event, a local vet “adopted” Waldog, symbolizing responsible pet care.
The senator plans to bring Waldog to schools and public spaces so it can meet lots of people. The goal is to inspire kindness, responsibility, and community care for all animals.
Around the world, similar robot dogs help in different ways such as search and rescue and border patrolling, but Waldog’s job is unique because it blends technology with advocacy.
Time to discuss
- How can technology like Waldog help improve animal welfare?
- What are some challenges real animals face that robots cannot?
- Would you support using robots for social causes? Why or why not?
